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This is an all too common problem with the Cavalier and other GM J-body cars. Usually it is because of the crankshaft position sensor or the harness going between it and the DIS (aka ignition module). Without the DIS seeing a signal from the crank sensor, it doesn't know when to trigger fuel and spark.

Sometimes this can also be caused by a faulty ignition switch. The switch will allow you to "crank" the car, but it doesn't make the proper connections for the ignition system, so the car never actually runs.

The previously indicated oil pressure switch could also be causing the problem, but if you hear your fuel pump run then it's OK.

Hopefully this helps. If not, your Cavalier is as messed up as mine and probably not worth fixing.

The catalytic converter maybe clogged. This would result in a car starting then cutting off. you can unbolt the catalytic converter see if that solve the problem. Then if that was the problem replace it with a new one. Goodluck.

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Related Questions:

code p0335 refers to crankshaft position (CKP) sensor --circuit malfunction====causes ---wiring---ckp sensor ---ecm
you have checked the wires from ecm connection to sensor connection and eliminated the wires and connections so that only leaves a problem ECM
try substituting the ECM with a known good unit and see it the code is eliminated

If you're getting a code for no RPM, the PCM is not receiving a signal from the crankshaft position sensor. The PCM uses the signal from the crankshaft position sensor to fire the coil/spark plugs. Check the wiring to the crankshaft position sensor and check the sensor itself.

Like brad said, but check all the fuse (inside and under the hood) fro the ECM/PCM, also check the fuses the say IGN. Then check for voltage at the crank sensor and the cam sensor. Both are on the same wire. If you have voltage at the cam, them the wire is broke between the cam and crank. If no voltage on either, check voltage at the PCM connector plug. If voltage there then the wire is broke between the PCM and sensors. No voltage, Then your last recourse before replacing the PCM, is to pull the plug, check for corrosion, clean it. But also check for continuity between the pin and a couple of inches up the wire, then up to the sensors. If continuity is good (less than 5 ohms) replace the PCM. Also some thing to check is all the power(B+) and ground points on the pins to the PCM. Sorry I don't have electrical schematics for your vehicle. I would surely pass them on to you if I did. You can get them at alldatadiy.com

The crank sensor on this vehicle is a magneto type sensor which reads a toothed gear on the crankshaft. The gear has a blank spot on it that the sensor reads, which tells the ECM when to fire. If the sensor is faulty, which is fairly common for Mopar engines, you won't get any spark. You should definitely try replacing this before the ECM. Just be very careful when pulling the sensor out: if it breaks off, it's time to remove the oil pan to push what's left out of the block. Hope this helps

Check for spark when it won't start. If you have spark, might be your fuel pump relay, maybe the map sensor. If no spark, check another or all plug wires. If ignition isn't working, it could be Crankshaft Position sensor, Camshaft position sensor (or pick-up coil), ignition control module, coils, pcm, or the wiring associated with them. PCM determines spark timing after inputs from crank and can sensors, and sends ground signal to ignition module, cutting primary voltage to coils, initiating spark or high voltage from coil to sparkplug. All these parts have to be working right for ignition. All can be tested too. You'd need a digital volt ohm meter (DVOM) and a repair manual for your car with the test procedures. That Mitchell alldata-diy site has a special on subscriptions, pretty reasonable for a 1 month subscription, and excellent info and troubleshooting flow charts, wiring diagrams, etc.

Could be a crankshaft position sensor fault or even a ignition coil fault. I suggest u check the stored fault codes in the PCM first. If there is no ckp sensor codes in the system and a new coil doesn't fix the problem it's possible the coil has spiked the PCM . If this is the case a new coil and PCM should be installed. The engine rpm and signal from the coil is picked up from the ckp sensor.

check to see if your truck has a crankshaft position sensor, its usually located behind the harmonic balancer or right near there, if the sensor went bad or if the wiring got messed up there will be no signal to the ecm telling the ecm when to send spark to the coil. the crankshaft position sensor is responsible for telling the computer when to fire the spark plugs based on rpm and timing. check the wires on the crankshaft position sensor, if they look fine, replace the sensor, hope this helps!

Note: Electronic Ignition engine timing is entirely controlled by the PCM. Electronic Ignition engine timing is NOT adjustable. Do not attempt to check base timing. You will receive false readings.

The CKP sensor is used to indicate crankshaft position and speed by sensing a missing tooth on a pulse wheel mounted to the crankshaft. The CMP sensor is used by the COP Integrated EI System to identify top dead center of compression of cylinder 1 to synchronize the firing of the individual coils.

The PCM uses the CKP signal to calculate a spark target and then fires the coil pack(s) to that target shown in Figure 51. The PCM uses the CMP sensor not shown in Figure 51 on COP Integrated EI Systems to identify top dead center of compression of cylinder 1 to synchronize the firing of the individual coils.

The coils and coil packs receive their signal from the PCM to fire at a calculated spark target. Each coil within the pack fires two spark plugs at the same time. The plugs are paired so that as one fires during the compression stroke the other fires during the exhaust stroke. The next time the coil is fired the situation is reversed. The COP system fires only one spark plug per coil and only on the compression stroke.

The PCM acts as an electronic switch to ground in the coil primary circuit. When the switch is closed, battery positive voltage (B+) applied to the coil primary circuit builds a magnetic field around the primary coil. When the switch opens, the power is interrupted and the primary field collapses inducing the high voltage in the secondary coil windings and the spark plug is fired. A kickback voltage spike occurs when the primary field collapses. The PCM uses this voltage spike to generate an Ignition Diagnostic Monitor (IDM) signal. IDM communicates information by pulsewidth modulation in the PCM.

The PCM processes the CKP signal and uses it to drive the tachometer as the Clean Tach Out (CTO) signal.

2.5L V6

The ignition system consists of an ignition coil, spark plug wires and spark plugs.
The crankshaft position sensor signal is the basis for ignition timing calculations. The alternating voltage signal from the crankshaft position sensor is digitized by a pulse former within the powertrain control module. This digitized signal is then used to position the closing time of the primary circuit of the ignition coil.
Ignition timing is determined by the powertrain control module in response to engine operating conditions based on stored data tables or maps. Once ignition timing has been determined, the powertrain control module interrupts the current to the primary circuit of the ignition coil thus triggering the ignition spark which is supplied to the cylinders through the spark plug wires and spark plugs.
The ignition coils are triggered by the powertrain control module in pairs (cylinders 1 and 5, cylinders 4 and 3 and cylinders 2 and 6) sending one ignition spark to the firing cylinder and one ignition spark to the corresponding cylinder on the exhaust stroke. This ensures that any unburnt fuel residues remaining in the cylinder on the exhaust stroke are re - ignited to provide cleaner exhaust emissions.
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2.0L 4 cynder

The ignition system consists of an ignition coil, spark plug wires and spark plugs.
The crankshaft position sensor signal is the basis for ignition timing calculations. The alternating voltage signal from the crankshaft position sensor is digitized by the powertrain control module. This digitized signal is then used to position the closing time of the primary circuit of the ignition coil.
Ignition angle is determined by the powertrain control module in response to engine operating conditions. Once ignition angle has been determined, the powertrain control module interrupts the current to the primary circuit of the ignition coil thus triggering the ignition spark which is supplied to the cylinders through the spark plug wires and spark plugs.
The ignition coils are triggered by the powertrain control module in pairs (cylinders 1 and 4 and cylinders 3 and 2) sending one ignition spark to the firing cylinder and one ignition spark to the corresponding cylinder on the exhaust stroke. This make sures that any unburnt fuel residues remaining in the cylinder on the exhaust stroke are re - ignited to provide cleaner exhaust emissions.
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Integrated Electronic Ignition System
The Integrated Electronic Ignition (EI) System consists of a crankshaft position (CKP) sensor, coil pack(s), connecting wiring, and PCM. The Coil On Plug (COP) Integrated EI System uses a separate coil for each spark plug and each coil is mounted directly onto the plug. The COP Integrated EI System eliminates the need for spark plug wires but does require input from the camshaft position (CMP) sensor. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------